What is CASP?
A CASP (Crypto-Asset Service Provider) is a company authorised under the EU's MiCA regulation to provide crypto services - exchange, custody, trading platforms, advice - across all 27 EU member states with a single license. The CASP authorisation replaced national VASP registrations across the EU.
The ten CASP services
MiCA lists ten authorisable services: custody and administration; operation of a trading platform; exchange of crypto for funds; exchange of crypto for other crypto; execution of orders; placing of crypto-assets; reception and transmission of orders; advice; portfolio management; and transfer services. Your license covers only the services you apply for - scope it to your actual roadmap, because extending later means a variation procedure with the regulator.
Own funds from €50k and a real EU establishment
Minimum own funds by class: €50,000 (advice, order services), €125,000 (custody, exchange), €150,000 (trading platform operation). Beyond capital: a real EU establishment with effective management in the member state, fit-and-proper management, AML framework, custody segregation rules, and complaint handling. Regulators reject letterbox applications - at least part of the leadership and control functions must genuinely sit in the country of authorisation.
Choosing the member state
The license passports EU-wide, so founders optimise for regulator pragmatism, timeline, and cost. Popular routes: Malta (crypto-experienced regulator through the earlier VFA regime), Lithuania and Estonia (fintech-friendly, but tightening after their VASP-era cleanups), France and Netherlands (heavyweight regulators, better for institutional credibility). Realistic timeline: 6–12 months from filing to authorisation, with pre-application meetings strongly recommended. Transition periods for legacy national registrations mostly ended mid-2026 - new entrants apply straight for CASP.
Frequently asked questions
Does a CASP license from one EU country work in all others?
Yes - passporting is the core benefit. After notification procedures, a CASP authorised in Malta can serve users in every EU and EEA member state without additional national licenses.
How much does a MiCA CASP license cost?
Own funds of €50k–150k depending on services, application and legal costs typically €50k–200k, and ongoing compliance staffing from roughly €10k monthly. Total first-year budgets under €150k are rarely realistic for a full exchange or custody model.